Christ: Risen to Empower for Service
‘and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away.’ (Mark 16:3-4)
As we celebrate, the subject of Jesus’ Resurrection is most crucial for Christian faith and practice; it is the cornerstone of Christianity. Many scholars and enemies have worked hard to cast doubt about the resurrection or even dismiss it as a hoax; on the other hand, many believing and thinking scholars have also written powerfully to bring out the prima-facie evidence of this historical event. For a terribly disappointed band of disciples whose master had been shamefully killed, the resurrection was the revolutionary turning point of their lives, and they would never be the same again. It deserves this celebration!
The three women in Mark 16 were on their way to Jesus’ tomb to anoint his body, but remembered and discussed a serious problem: ‘and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” (v.3) The stone was very large and impossible for these women. Nonetheless they proceeded on their journey – love compelled them; they had faith that their huge problem would somehow be sorted; they were not discouraged by this great obstacle. Many times we need to continue on the God-given mission, despite the challenges we may envisage.
But more so, these women did not discuss the other two problems, which should have discouraged them even the more: there was a seal on the large stone, and there were soldiers guarding the tomb. The women may not have been aware of these security provisions that were made on the Sabbath. At times we are worried about something, and there is in fact greater problems we are not aware of. God is able to deal with both problem sets; we are encouraged to trust God and continue on the God-given mission and never be discouraged.
“Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?” Commenting on this, Peter Chrysologus pauses the question: “Is it from the entrance of the tomb or of your own hearts?” There is a stone at the entrance of some hearts and eyes that makes it difficult or impossible for them to see the empty tomb; those who cannot see the victory of Jesus Christ should not claim that it did not happen, but rather cry for help because only they cannot see and acknowledge a truth so plain and undeniable. However, if they receive God’s grace, He is able to roll away that stone like he did the sealed and highly guarded one on Jesus’ tomb.
The experience of the women has encouraged us to continue on God-given missions. The risen Christ regenerates and empowers us for service we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Eph 2:10). Have a blessed celebration of the Resurrection!